Forster's Terns? (1 Viewer)

[jmepler]

Forster's Terns, Pennsylvania?

I initially thought these were Forster's Terns but the bill color is troubling me. It seem to be too reddish. What do you think?

Mike

 

[RJP]

When and where were these pics taken?

 

[jmepler]

Yesterday, on the Susquehanna River in south-central Pennsylvania.

 

[RJP]

Larids aren't my longest suit, but since nobody else is replying ... these look like Common Terns to me. Not only the bill color, as you have pointed out, but the primary tips look like they project beyond the tail.

 

[Jan-Paul Charteris]

All Common Tern apart from the Bonaparte's Gull. The white area between the bill and the cap doesn't bulge as it does in summer Forster's, and the bill structure usually has a more obvious gonadal angle in Forster's

 

[chris butterworth]

Agree. All Common ( although the gonydial angle is also found on females J-P ).

Chris

 

[Jan-Paul Charteris]

Agree. All Common ( although the gonydial angle is also found on females J-P ).

Chris

Embarrassing misspelling there then lol. That'll teach me to trust google The white area between the bill and cap I reckon is good anyway

 

[jmepler]

Thanks guys,

I am not used to seeing breeding plumage adults. Non-breeding and juveniles are easier.

Mike